Hinduism
The Sacred Om (Aum)- Symbol of Hinduism, most sacred syllable
Originates in Vedas
Vibrations
Lotus: Flower blooming from the murky water, like your mind
Swastika: the 4 places the human soul can exist (tilted=Hitler)
Yantra: the universe
Pratik: Self-Realization and service to humanity
Tilak (Tilaka): any mark on the forehead or between eyebrows, Any gender, ceremonious, Bindi Dot, Means “drop,” Represents age, marital status, religious background, or ethnic affiliation, Can be powder, jewels, etc. Forehead is the 6th chakra and center of wisdom, 3rd Eye of Shiva
Iconography – colors, animals, and item representation
Conch: prayer
Lotus: creation
Lingam: Shiva (phallic)
Chakra: Protection
Trihsula: Shiva (3 prongs)
Veena: arts and learning
“Shurti” - remembered holy books
What are the 4 Vedas? Rig Veda (oldest), Yajur Veda, Sama Veda. Atharva Veda. Recorded by Rishi, ancient poetic sages.
What are the 4 parts of each Veda? Mantras, Brahmanas (Rituals), Forest Treatises, The Upanishads (Philosophical reflections (explanation) on the Vedas), and The Epics
“Smurti” - heard holy books written in Sanskrit
What are the Two main Epics?: The Ramayana: roles in relationships through ideal versions, the eternal struggle between good and evil through the incarnations of Vishnu (1 of the 3 main Hindu Gods), Vividly reenacted in India. The Mahabharata: India’s National Epic Poem, Bhagavad-Gita: The most famous part of the epic, Said to be the 5th Veda, Conversation about obligations between Arjuna and Krishna on the eve of the battle, Follows 2 rival families in a great war, Sets up Hindu mythology and beliefs, Longest poem in history
What is the Caste System: Brahmins- Priests & teachers, Kshatriyas- Chieftans & warriors, Vaishyas- Merchants and commoners, Shudras- Not members of society servants & slaves, Harijan- “Children of God,” Aka Dalit (since 1980s), Untouchables, socially unacceptable jobs, Killing animals, handling dead, trash, and human waste, Outlawed but still done, Strict-anti-discrimination laws and Aff. Acts
What is Brahman?: unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality, Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond this Universe, Thousands of deities of one universal spirit are called Brahman, “All things are Brahman and Brahman is all things” (panentheistic)
What is the Trimurti: the trinity of supreme divinity in Hinduism. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Who is Brahma?: The (The Creator God) with 4 heads and 4 arms,
Who is Vishnu?: The Preserver, God of Love, Benevolence, and Forgiveness, with Avatars 9 avatars in all (Rama, Rishna, and Kalkin). Whenever Dharama (natural order, duty) is threatened, he protects.
Who is Consort Lakshmi?: Vishnu’s (girlfriend), Goddess of wealth, light, and fortune, Luck, beauty and fertility.
Who is Shiva?: The Destroyer (male). Represents man and woman = balance. God of death, destruction, disease, and dancing, all reproduction of the world, ignorance, and old habits, Goodness and Family
Who is Kali? 1/2 GF of Vishnu, Looks macabre and destructive, Mask of Ugliness, Life, death, creation, and destruction
Who is Parvati?: 2/2 GF of Vishnu. Although chaste, their union powers the universe and liberation, Benign goddess, Tiger is her totem. Ganesh’s mom
Who is Shakti?: The Great Divine Mother, Primordial cosmic energy
Who is Ganesh?: Gateway through which you reach all other gods, Lord of Hosts, Gets rid of his obstacles, ELEPHANT HEAD
Who is Durga: major Hindu goddess, Gentle face
What is Atman: true self that survives death and is luminous & unchanged by you circumstance. Outer physical bodies don’t matter compared to the Inner soul.
What is Samsara? reincarnation
What is Dharama? moral order in the world. Your obligations, duty to promote moral order
Doctrine of Karama
An individual is shaped by a moral cause and effect over the course of many lives
What you did in the past effects
Purushartha
What are the 4 aims of Hinduism?: Moksa, Dharma, Artha, and Kama
What is Moksa?: liberation from “samsara” and get to the supreme mankind and become one with Brahman
What is Dharma?: righteousness in their religious life
What is Artha?: successful economic life & material prosperity
What is Kama?: gratification of the senses: pleasure, sensual, sexual, and mental enjoyment
What is Ahimsa?: Nonviolent life
What is Puja?- daily offerings to the gods
What is Prasad?- the food used in praying, hope to receive a DARSAN: A vision that is received from the gods
What is Havan?: Ritual fire that is present at many ceremonies with many things placed in the fire
What is the process of Cremation?: Bodies are washed, rubbed with sandalwood paste, dressed, & wrapped, and the ashes remaining taken to a holy river, like the Ganges
What is Upanayana: Thread/Initiation ceremony. 3 threads that make a cord. It is done before you get married and worn over the shoulder across the
Types of Yoga and their Stuff: Hatha Yoga: yoga of postures Mantra Yoga: yoga of chanting Bhakti Yoga: yoga of devotion Karma Yoga: yoga of works (nice things done to people) Jnana Yoga: yoga of knowledge (study religion) Raja Yoga: all the yogas together Kundalini Yoga: From the Tantras
Hinduism Diets Include: NO BEEF. Highly restricted, Most devout from Pork (dirty), Fasting, and No alcohol
Reverence for the Cow is: Not worshipped. They are honored, protected, and positively taboo
Reverence for Trees and Rivers: Rituals performed under trees, Rivers are often sacred
What does Namaste mean?: “Spirit in me meets the spirit in you” (Practically means you believe in Brahmin)
What is Holi? What does it celebrate? The celebration for spring, life, and Krishna (deity of abundance and good of life)
How is Holi Celebrated? Throwing colored powders and water on each other in white
What is Kumbh Mela and how is it celebrated?: An opening where the spiritual world and ours connect. It occurs every 3rd year at 1 of 4 places. Usually running and bathing at the river Ganges
What is Navaratri (holiday)? THE 9-night festival. The goddess Durga’s victory against Mahishasura, and the defeat of Lord Ram. Worship with fire to purify and lead away from the darkness.
What is Diwali and how is it celebrated? It is known as the “Festival of Lights” (practically like Christmas).Celebration of good over evil, and the homecoming of Rama
What is a mandir?: Large temples to pray in, can be in the home as well
What is murti: the statue or image of symbols as a focus for prayers
What is the Angkor Wat(place)? Dedicated to the God Vishnu, and has 5 towers to represent